February, 2009 | ThinkTalk Networks - Career TV for College

Daily Roundup: Presentation Innovation

By Zack on February 27, 2009

Welcome to the Daily Roundup. Each day at the ThinkTalk Blog we will post some links that we find informative, interesting, or just plain funny. The goal is to let you know what else is going on out there, and ultimately help you with the development of your career.

I came across a very interesting post at Snarkmarket - which traffics in Liberal Arts 2.0 links and posts - on a new presentation tool called Prezi. Aside from making me hungry (pretzel, get it?), this seems like a pretty cool little way to make a presentation.

Prezi uses a zooming function to transition from slide to slide- but I use the term "slide" very loosely. Words can't really do it justice, so check out a sample. As midterms and finals near I thought I would pass this along so that you can dazzle your professors and peers alike.

The weekend can't get started fast enough, but before you go check out The Links . . .

The New York Times Reports: The Obama administration is instituting change in financial aid. "The size of existing federal loan programs would grow, and more families would be eligible to participate. And in perhaps the most controversial provision, the administration would lend directly to students and end its support of federally guaranteed student loans made by banks and other private companies."

Forbes Features: A How-To guide on scoring a job created by the stimulus plan. The administration says 3.5 millions jobs will be created, so how do you get one? Forbes says to follow the money . . .

The Wall Street Journal Offers: Advice for entrepreneurs. The trick, Sarah Needleman reports, may be to keep your day job. "If you're anticipating a pink slip and thinking about starting a business, consider this: Many entrepreneurs say they first tested out ideas for new ventures while working full-time jobs, resigning only after becoming confident that their companies were headed toward success."

Satisfying Career-Happier Life Has: Tips for standing out at work. No, wearing a gaudy suit and showing up to meetings with a bullhorn are not among those tips.

CNET Reports: On special-effects company Weta (Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, King Kong) fulfilling a dream. Not career related in any way. But an awesome story none-the-less. Have a great weekend, and here's to fulfilling your dreams of Mermaidom . . . or ya know, whatever you're into.

Daily Roundup: Broadway Tunes to Job Hunting News

By Zack on February 26, 2009

No, we don't know the way to Sesame Street but we DID find our way to Avenue Q and met up with denizens Princeton and Kate Monster! We also had a chance to talk with actors Robert McClure and Anika Larsen and find out what its really like to pursue an acting career in Broadway. Robert, who plays Princeton and Rod, started acting since his days at Milford High School but with time, determination and opportunity he landed his first Broadway gig on the show I'm Not Rappaport. Anika, who plays Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut, left for the Big Apple after graduating from Yale. Her first paying gig was touring with the L.A. production of Rent. If you really want to know what it takes to be stars of a Broadway tour, watch our Spotlight show with Avenue Q.

It's Thursday, one day closer to the weekend. Here are some links to keep you going...

Chronicle of Higher Ed Reports: Congress is pursuing legislation to expand the U.S. reach of study abroad programs. "The Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act, named for the late Illinois Democrat who was a champion of overseas study, would create an independent government entity and would authorize $80-million in grants to individual students, colleges, and nongovernmental institutions that provide study-abroad opportunities."

Forbes Features: Available jobs with the Government. Doesn't Democratic control of the government generally lead to an expansion of government? I would assume so, and Forbes profiles some jobs to keep an eye out for.

College Recruiter Instructs: How to write a Law School personal statement. If you are thinking of law school rather than brave the rough economy, you should be familiar with the concept of a personal statement. Essentially, it is an essay - generally 2 pages - detailing why you would like to pursue law and what your qualifications are. Career Builder has the low down.

Brazen Careerist's Jun Loayza Thinks: You should start a company. Loayza and a buddy founded a startup in college and he truly values the experience. Now he says it's your turn. He offers 7 really great tips for getting started.

Cheezhead Found: A few great websites to help get you a job. These aren't old stand-by's like Monster or Careerbuilder. There is some genuine insight in this list.

Brazen Careerist's Matt Elliot Has: Advice on what mistakes you should avoid if you are graduating this semester. "Itâ€™s critical that us young people, in the face of the specter of soup lines and cardboard houses, to not give in to hype-driven impulsiveness and make mistakes. Donâ€™t panic."

Career Center Q&A's: Marva Gumbs Jennings - The George Washington University

By Zack on February 25, 2009

The ThinkTalk Career Blog is proud to announce a new feature detailing campus career centers. The Career Center is an important and helpful resource that is available to you on your campus. It is free and the professionals are there to help you on your career path. In an effort to get you started using this resource, The ThinkTalk Career Blog will be featuring Q & A's with university career counselors in our network. Today, we welcome Marva Gumbs Jennings of The George Washington University. Marva is the Executive Director of GWU's Career Center and we thank her for her time.

Zack: When should a student start to visit the Career Center?

Marva Gumbs Jennings: We meet students when they come to register prior to to getting here their first semester. Many of them come in because they have been engaged in securing an internship before they left home or they have received some form of federal work study funds as part of their financial aid packet and they want to work with us to secure an employer that we have a contract with. They come in and work with us almost immediately from, I would say, the first week.

ZS: So, in general, you are seeing more Freshman come in right away?

MGJ: Yes, and I think it is important. While we tell them to use the first semester to find a plan, really take it easy, but plan to start the whole process so that they can begin their experience in their 2nd Semester. Though, many students have to work immediately to afford college. We want to give them a plan of action for freshman year, and one for sophomore year, etc., to help them be a lot more methodical about what it is they are going after and what options they have for themselves. We help give them an increased amount of knowledge based on what they think they would like.

ZS: What are some specific topics you would cover in an initial session?

MGJ: It really depends on the student. Realistically, I think many students come in thinking that they have to have something concrete for us to work on, to do, etc. If they do have a resume and cover letter we certainly work with them on that. But we really talk about: "What's your plan of action?"

One of the philosophies we have here is Find the Right Experience in Employment - we call it FREE. We will talk to them about their first year and some things that would be helpful for them to gain as they think about their sophomore year. The beginning time frame is really becoming accustomed to this environment, testing out academics, participating in educational panels to really think about what it is they want in a real experience.

ZS: Do you find a lot of Freshman have a resume ready to go?

MGJ: They need assistance. I think we're finding more and more Freshman have resumes. It is so easy to get one - there are resume templates on the Web that are easy for them to pull. Many of them, if they have participated in certain High School programs or projects, have resumes. In some of their initial freshman writing courses, part of what they have to do is pull together a resume. So I'm finding that there are many people who are coming in and not having to pull one from scratch.

ZS: How soon should a student start to look for an internship?

MGJ: The students that are attracted to [George Washington] University truly are looking for internships, sometimes, starting their second semester, but certainly a bulk of them are looking for the summer. And then it goes from there. I think on average, before a student leaves the University they have at least three or four internships.

ZS: Should work study students look for jobs in their area of study?

MGJ: I really do believe, and I'm not sure everyone agrees with me, but I believe that all experience is valid. Even if it is experience where you are in a position where you think "Oh, I'm just earning some money here," you're learning office ethics, values; you are learning how to work with a team; you are learning how to do research. And that's all going to be helpful in the long run, no matter what kind of occupation you are in. So, we're talking about some of the softer skills, but I think we help students appreciate how they are growing and developing professionally, from the smallest type of experience - or what they consider inconsequential - to something that they really think they are rolling up their sleeves and getting in to.

ZS: Does the Career Center have a network of employers with established internship programs for students?

MGJ: Internships on this campus happen in a number of different ways. Most of our postings go through our G-Work system. Many of those employers also respond when we host internship fairs - we do have a specific internship fair, as oppose to other general broad-based fairs.

We also have a cooperative education program. That is, a substantial program where employers have contracts with us as a Career Center on behalf of the University to place students for substantive work experience where they are paid. It's a little different from internships, and there is a cadre of employers that we follow, that we expand upon, who consistently look to us to source. Internships also come through various academic programs and through different schools on campus.

ZS: What should a student know about their Career Center?

MGJ: You don't have to have your goals all set to be able to come into a career center to help you execute them. A career center is a place where you can come to have a sounding board for some of the things you are thinking about. The career center is a place to come to design your plan of action - which changes, but at least you have some protocol to follow, some procedures to follow so that you know that you are trying to balance your academics with what you want to do experimentally.

Thank you Marva for your time and knowledge. My advice to all you students is to visit your career center as soon as possible. The career center is a first step in the process, so don't worry about what experience you have or don't have related to your career. That is why schools have professionals on hand, to help you with this process.

The Daily Roundup: Social Distortion

By Zack on February 24, 2009

I'm on Facebook. I'm on LinkedIn. I Twitter, Flickr and StumbleUpon. Social networking is not a fringe activity. From the staggering number of Facebook users to the unprecedented recent rise of Twitter, it is clear that social networking will be around for a while. But as the popularity and ubiquity of this medium grows, so grows the criticism.

We are not hear to engage in the merits and detriments of this medium. No, we are here to offer advice, guidance and point to way for you, the college student. On that note, here is a bit of advice from marketing guru Seth Godin on how to maximize the benefits of social networking. (hat tip Andrew Sullivan)

You'll never find superficial friends with The Links . . .

The Decemberists Are Having: A Contest to design a poster for an upcoming gig. Great contest for you aspiring graphic designers. From the group: "Extra points are awarded to poster designers who are most imperceptibly able to incorporate a portrait of Ladybird Johnson in their design. Just kidding. Sort of."

Daily Routines Gets: The low down on author Michael Lewis' writing habits (via Michael Lewis'). Good info on his first steps when writing, what his ideal day for writing is and other insights into his process.

The Chronicle of Higher Ed Reports: Schools in Arizona are warning students about Spring Break in Mexico due to the . . . uh . . . unpleasantness. "The U.S. State Department, which recently renewed a travel advisory for Americans venturing to Mexico, has created a Web site for students, outlining what they should know before they go to Mexico, including information about specific cities."

Chief Happiness Officer Found: Best. Business Card. Ever.

The Wall Street Journal Explains: What to due when you can't get past that first interview. This guy has a Bachelor's and Master's in Econ from Ivy League institutions but can't get over the lack of experience hurdle. What is he to do? I say go for the doctorate and complete the trifecta.

Daily [Oscar] Roundup

By Zack on February 23, 2009

When we started out, we had no stars, we had no power or muscle. We didn't have enough money, really, to do what we wanted to do. But what we had was a script that inspired mad love in everyone who read it. We had a genius for a director. We had a cast and a crew who were unwavering in their commitment and whose talents are up on the screen for all of you to see... Most of all, we had passion and we had belief, and our film shows that if you have those two things, truly anything is possible. -- Christian Colson, Producer for Slumdog Millionaire

Indeed, everything was possible for this film at the 81st Academy Awards. With a one-way ticket from Bollywood to Hollywood, Slumdog Millionaire won the awards for Best Adapted Screenplay (Thank you Vikas Swarup), Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Film Editing, Music Score and Song, Best Directing and Best Picture. Did you catch all of that? ThinkTalk guest and Slumdog Director Danny Boyle not only proved to be 2008's Best Director but his passionate speech was just as infectious as the film's Award-winning song "Jai Ho" performed by A.R. Rahman. We also want to congratulate Milk's Sean Penn for winning an Oscar in the category of Actor In a Leading Role and writer Dustin Lance Black for Original Screenplay (not to mention his touching and emotional acceptance speech). Check out our blog of Zack's Q & A session with actor Emile Hirsch and activist Cleve Jones on behalf of the film's promo tour.

The Oscars are over, but The Links are just beginning . . .

Jobacle Profiles: Careerealism. The website features short videos and general career advice, while Ben Eubanks' Jobacle profile features a short interview with the sites founder. Certainly worth a look.

Glenn Kelman Guest Posts: For Guy Kawasaki. And in this post, offers advice on what employers want to see on a resume. Kelman is the CEO of an online real estate brokerage and co-founder of a software company . . . so he should be a pretty good source of info on what an employer is looking for.

The Wall Street Journal Reports: That job competition is heating up. An influx of elderly workers could be competing for the same jobs as you. "The number of unemployed workers 75 and older increased to more than 73,000 in January, up 46% from the prior January. Among workers 65 and older, the jobless rate stands at 5.7%." These numbers are historical highs and given the economy, many of these workers choose to keep working rather than retire.

Personal Branding Blog Explains: What your handshake could say about your personal brand. Basically, your handshake is a large part of a first impression. You don't want to go to firm and you don't want to go to light. Once, while golfing, I was busy thinking of my shot and half-heartedly shook a new partners hand when he offered it. The guy stared at me for a minute and shrugged "uhhh, nice to meet you too." It was a faux pas and a bad impression . . . but so is introducing yourself to someone right before a shot.

The Case Western Observer Profiles: A photography project by DC-based photographer Emily Troutman that features a Case Western Student. Student Akshai Singh was vising DC to take in President Barak Obama's inauguration and was asked to participate in the project, which was titled "President Obama Inauguration: Words For How We Feel Now." "Singh chose 'anxious' because the inauguration was a long time coming, and he selected 'patient' because, although some may expect a sudden change with the inauguration of Obama, he believes that it's going to take some time." A very cool project, in my opinion.

Clemson's Tiger News' Julie Gerdes Chronicles: Her "comedic career." The opinion piece details Julie's struggles to decide on a future and career. "As a senior graduating in May of 2009, I find myself, mid-February, glancing down each path, wincing, throwing a blanket over my head and vowing not to peek out until pine trees are dropping hundred-dollar bills and gold-plated "help wanted" signs are in demand." You are not alone, Julie . . . and the rest of you.

Emerson College's Berkely Beacon Looks At: Networking at an internship fair on campus. reporter Kirby Archer looks at some services offered by the Career Center and tips on how to negotiate the sometimes tricky atmosphere of a Career Fair. The article focuses on Emerson's Boston area, but much of the advice can be applied universally.

The Daily Roundup: 2 Days, 0 Hours, and 13 minutes (and counting)

By Mindy on February 20, 2009

I donâ€™t know about you guys, but Iâ€™m even more excited for this weekend than normal (if thatâ€™s possible). Why is that, you wonder?

OSCARS!

It is that wonderful time of year again, when Americans everywhere curl up with popcorn, Shirley Temples and our bets from our offices' Oscar pools to watch the favorite stars (and their designer duds) walk the red carpet.

This year, all of the ThinkTalk crew is betting on Slumdog Millionaire to sweep up the awards. Nominated for 10 awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, Slumdog Millionaire really was one the best movies to come out this year. And the filmâ€™s director, Danny Boyle, is awesome! (Make sure you watch out Directorâ€™s Cut interview with Danny to hear about his experiences directing Slumdog Millionaire).

Official Slumdog Millionaire Trailer, Courtesy of Fox Searchlight

To top it all off, The Huffington Post reports that Fox Searchlight is flying the kids from the movie in for the ceremony:

The child stars of â€˜Slumdog Millionaireâ€™ will take their first airplane trip when they attend the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sundayâ€¦ â€˜The kids are on their way to the Oscars! Everyone is very excited!â€™ Boyle said Friday in an e-mail. All nine actors who play the three main characters in three stages of their lives will attend the Oscars, Fox Searchlight Pictures said. They include actors comfortable on the red carpet, like 18-year-old Dev Patel, who lives in London, and the glamorous Freida Pinto, 24, who has been praised in Vogue as a new style icon.

If youâ€™ve missed any of the nominated films and want to catch them before the hullabaloo on Sunday, check out AMCâ€™s Best Picture Showcase. Tomorrow, AMC is featuring 5 films nominated for best picture. For $30 bucks, you can see whichever of the films you want (or all 5 if you have an incredibly long attention span) and you get a large popcorn with free refills. You can search for an AMC in your area.

The Oscars are exciting, but we must not forget The Links:

Career Alley Studies: What companies are hiring. Hereâ€™s (yet) another list of large companies to look at that have a fair amount of openings.

My Super-Charged Life Wants You: To consider getting debt-free using the Snowball Technique. Weâ€™ve all been there (or will be there for years to come). Student loans are a biotch.

Careerealism Uses: This one-of-their-best-ever SNL skits to learn a lesson about why you should â€œFollow your instinct and donâ€™t shy away from conflictâ€ at the workplace.

Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters Follows Up: Yesterdayâ€™s post about perfect cover letter openers with todayâ€™s post on perfect cover letter closers. Nothing like coming full circle.

Lindsey Pollak Hosts: Guest blogger Lauren Randa Hasson, also known as the RÃ©sumÃ© Girl. She has 10 tips for improving your resume (in case you have any free time this weekend).

ReadWriteWeb Has: A neat article on how cell phones and mobile technology are â€œserving as doctorsâ€ for people in need of healthcare in developing countries. Cool to think about if you are looking at a career in healthcare or technology.

Still looking for more Oscars lovin? Nellie likes Rotten Tomatoesâ€™ reviews and ratings. If you want to catch up on some of the nominated films, I recommend Netflix. Itâ€™s cheap and Iâ€™ve had a great experience with them. And donâ€™t forget to watch Zackâ€™s interview with Danny Boyle, director of Slumdog Millionaire.

The Daily Roundup: How Do I Detest Thee, Dear Chain E-mail

By Mindy on February 19, 2009

Raise your hand if you like e-mail chain letters. Anybody? No? Really?

Yeah, me neither. But how about a Chain Thriller? Borders is announcing the upcoming release of the worldâ€™s first chain novel, a collaborative effort with best-selling author James Patterson. Titled AirBorne, this novel is launching the publishing industry into the heart of Web 2.0 (Thanks to Springwise for the heads up).

Crime-thriller genius James Patterson will write the first and last chapters of AirBorne, but the rest of the piece is crowd-produced. Borders and Random House hosted a contest to find 28 aspiring writers to each write 28 short chapters. They have closed the entries and are now piecing together the book.

Beginning March 20, AirBorne will be released online, chapter by chapter. There will be a print edition produced, but it will only be available for contributors and contest winners. Itâ€™s hard to tell if a crowdsourced novel like this will be any good, but you have to give Borders props on their marketing strategy. And how cool would it be to write a book with James Patterson?

I donâ€™t know whether to read it or to go mourn the fact that novels are apparently becoming victims of the Internetâ€™s worst personality disorder. Any reservations I have about this Novel 2.0 idea come from a genuine affection for books (speaking of which, this internship by One Day One Internship would have been a dream job for me). In the interest of fairness, I will hold judgment until I read the it. What do you think? Are chain novels a great idea or another Internet affliction in the making? If it works, this could be a cool opportunity for aspiring writers to get their first â€œbreak.â€

If youâ€™re interested in reading AirBorne, check out the release on March 20. You can also track the progress of the book via their RSS, Twitter or Facebook***.

The future may be uncertain for chain novels, but The Links we know for sure:

Brazen Careeristâ€™s Rachel Robbins Covers: How to go about getting a job thought an â€œinside source.â€ We have all had the cardinal rule of job hunting pounded into our brains: You. Must. Network. Now hereâ€™s how to go about using those contacts.

Penelope Trunk Addresses: The delicate topic of the appropriate work hug.

CollegeRecruiter.com Gives: A free recording of its Webinar (such an odd word) College Seniors CAN Thrive in this Job Market. In case anyone missed the original airing, there is some free advice thatâ€™s worth listening to.

Quintessential Resume and Cover Letters Has: A good sampling of openers for cover letters. If you are anything like me, getting started in the hardest part. Maybe one of these ideas will inspire you enough to sit down and write the perfect CL.

The Creative Career Contemplates: What would your ideal office space look like? Now I realize that getting a job matters way more than getting a cool office space. But itâ€™s fun to dream, right?

My Dollar Plan Finds: A comprehensive list of tax resources. I just spent the day tracking down a wayward W2 from a past job. Nowâ€™s the time to start thinking taxes, even if you didnâ€™t make a whole lot this year.

***I realize that, on the surface, this post may or may not be as career relevant for those who are not wanna-be writers. If youâ€™re looking for more inspirational/life-changing wisdom, please check out some of our archived posts for more career advice then you could throw a cow at.

Video Courtesy of Forbes.com

Daily Roundup: Job Fail - Finance Minister Edition

By Zack on February 18, 2009

Did you hear the one about the Japanese Finance Minister who's odd behavior got him canned?

No this isn't my latest foray into standup (try the veal!), it's the true story of Shoichi Nakagawa. The finance minister's odd behavior at a recent G7 meeting in Rome led to allegations and speculation that the minister was drunk. "At the news conference in Rome on Saturday, a red-faced Mr. Nakagawa gave muddled answers and at times appeared to nod off. A clip of Mr. Nakagawa in which he yawns groggily and closes his eyes while speaking has been circulating on the Internet." Oh, it certainly has! --->

Initially, Nakagawa claimed the groggy appearance was the reult of cold medication and general fatigue. After some prodding by Parliament, however, the finance minister conceded that he had imbibed a little bit of wine before the event. In light of the confessions Nakagawa chose to resign his post. Ooops. Tipsy at work? That sounds like a full bodied and fruity mistake with a silky smooth Job FAIL.

All things in moderation. Especially Alcohol. But especially The Links . . .

Kottke Digs Up: A fine archive of great commencement speeches. This collection includes Obama, Kennedy and The Dalai Lama. I've found these can be an inspiring tool and great source of career advice.

The Brazen Careerist's Broke Grad Student Offers: Things you should be taking advantage of as a student to save money. Your student ID can be a valuable commodity. Hold on to that baby. I wore my undergrad ID into the ground. Now that I'm back in school and have a new one, you can bet I'll be holding onto that sucker for a while!

Fistful of Talent Extrapolates On: The value of professional resume writers. "Does anyone else get that slightly creepy feeling when you look at the sites of some of the folks who claim to be experts at creating resumes for candidates? I know there are some good ones out there, but every time I go to a cut and paste, lame web site and see someone claiming to be an expert, I get that sinking feeling in my stomach, for some of the folks who are probably grabbing at the services."

The Daily Roundup: Experience or Education

By Zack on February 17, 2009

Welcome to the Daily Roundup.Â Each day at the ThinkTalk Blog we will post some links that we find informative, interesting, or just plain funny.Â The goal is to let you know what else is going on out there, and ultimately help you with the development of your career.

In an effort to bring you the best advice to help your career search we think it is prudent to keep tabs on what is going on at your campus. One way that we do this is by reading your campus' newspaper. Now, ThinkTalk broadcasts to over 150 schools and that's a lot of newspapers. But believe me, there is nothing better than curling up on a Sunday with 150 newspapers and a glass of OJ. That is L-I-V-I-N. Just kidding. I make Mindy read them.

One story that caught my attention today comes from Washington's Bellevue Community College's student paper The Jibsheet. Student reporter Simone Johnson discusses the effect of the economy on BCC students' decisions to pursue a four-year degree or to take a job in this market and try to "work from the bottom up." For a lot of students the cost of education can be prohibitive and it may be tempting to forgo an education to pursue employment and stability.

The piece is a good balance of the lure of instant gratification of a job and the added work experience it brings compared to the advantages of education. It is also an unfortunate indicator of some of the very tough decisions that young people are forced to make.

My thoughts on the choice, can best be summed up by an excerpt from Simone's piece. "[Glenn Jackson, Interim Program Manager at the Career Education Options Program at BCC] explained that education is something that can never be taken away, where a job can be lost at any time. With a shaky economy it is one of the few guarantees in life." Great point. And great article by Simone Johnson.

Another guarantee in life? Your daily does of The Links . . .

The GWU Hatchet Reports: On an event geared towards aspiring consultants at the George Washington University. A recent panel on "Consulting Career Options in a Turbulent Job Market" featured experts from the consulting industry. "'Always know your target audience,' advised Deborah Mochwart, director of structured finance at KPMG. She told students to change their resumes for every position they apply for, emphasizing skills they believe the company wants most."

Alison's Job Searching Blog Finds: Links for your summer job search. This makes me nostalgic for that beautiful summer I speant at the beach. Getting tan, catching some waves, hanging with beautiful women. Wait a minute. That wasn't me, that was Hobie Buchanan. No, I was cooped up in an air conditioned office building watching football all day and getting paid nada. There was the football, though, so I guess it could have been worse.

Secrects of the Job Hunt Has: A list of actual statements from resumes and cover letters. "Education: B.A. in Loberal Arts." Is it me or does that sound downright erotic?

Cheezhead Reports: On a new feature from Indeed.com. "Industry Trends" keeps tabs on job numbers and job seeker traffic on the site - which key words are hot, what searches are being conducted and how these trends are changing over time. "The current trends reflect that the number of job postings in the U.S. has declined in all industries, but the least severe declines occurred in the healthcare and education sectors. "

The Wall Street Journal Warns: Be wary of online job postings. "If you're launching an online job hunt for the first time in a while; take caution. What may look like an ad for employment may lead to something entirely different, like a hard sell for career services or job-training manuals."

The Wall Street Journal Profiles: What some placement experts think of the leading job boards. Great insight on CareerBuilder, Monster and The Ladders. And how to get the most out of your job search.

Mashable Offers: How to get a "real time education" through Twitter. Hey, it's fun to post your thoughts and and musing or get updates on the progress of the Death Star, but Twitter can be used for increasing your knowledge in a given field. This post lists 18 Twitters to follow.

"Student Life" Photo courtesy powerbooktrance via Flickr Creative Commons.

The Daily Roundup: The Digital Distraction?

By Zack on February 16, 2009

Let's talk about distraction verse enhancement in the classroom. Yesterday's New York Times reports on the cell phone Industry's pitch to put smart phones in High School classrooms.

At a conference this week in Washington called Mobile Learning 09, CTIA, a wireless industry trade group, plans to start making its case for the educational value of cellphones. It will present research â€” paid for by Qualcomm, a maker of chips for cellphones â€” that shows so-called smartphones can make students smarter.

This sounds like a noble cause. The industry argues that these phones can enhance and improve the experience of students in a number of tasks, including

recording themselves solving problems and posting the videos to a private social networking site, where classmates could watch. The study found that students with the phones performed 25 percent better on the end-of-the-year algebra exam than did students without the devices in similar classes.

Critics note that this is simply a self-serving, profit-motivated push by the industry to break into the lucrative High School market. Teenagers are particularly susceptible to brand influence and can develop long-time loyalty if reached at this impressionable stage. Another argument by critics is that these phones will serve as a distraction in and out of the classroom. Students in a classroom are a captive audience. Once you begin to add the outside influence and connectivity of the internet distraction becomes much more accessible.

This point of distraction is further highlighted by a recent piece in George Washington University's student newspaper The GW Hatchet. This piece, by staff writer Eric Thibault reports on the growing trend of professors limiting laptop use in class (hat tip to DCist for the story). The piece explains that this isn't a ban, it is simply a measure to control the interests of the students without the added distraction of Facebook, video-chatting, and email checking.

"Students pay a lot of money to attend this institution, but I'm sure it's no one's intent that people should be throwing that money way," Wirtz said. "If lectures are being compromised, it's not in anyone's best interest to use them."

What struck me most about the hatchet's piece is the tidbit from a survey by a Georgetown Law professor.

Georgetown Law professor David Cole said 80 percent of his students who were anonymously surveyed reported that they are more engaged in class discussion when they are laptop-free, 70 percent said that they liked the no-laptop policy, and 95 percent admitted that they use their laptops in class for "purposes other than taking notes."

It seems that in this instance, the students are on the side of the professors. The laptop is an added distraction and students completely understand if professors issue a limited use rule. I'd love to hear thoughts. How do you use a laptop in class? Do you feel that the use of a smart phone or computer aid adds to your educational experience or detracts from it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Use your laptop for good, use it to check out The Links . . .

Brazen Careerist's Kristen Fischer On: What sort of job you should have as a college student. Kristen's basic advice: your in college, get a work study gig to pay the bills, and get an internship to pay your dues. Don't expect - or demand - a paying job that is in your area of study while you pursue your degree. My supplemental advice: yes jump on work study, but select a job that interests you. I was a Comm major, so instead of working at the gym - even though it was easy - I worked in the campus theater projection booth.

Dan Schawbel Explains: The importance of how to communicate You. When developing your career networking and interviewing are important aspects. If you cannot effectively communicate your accomplishments and goals you are going to have a difficult time getting the jobs you want. Dan establishes a great primer on how get started with communicating about yourself.

ere.net Profiles: A continuing education program for aspiring Lobbyists (sponsored by lobbyingjobs.com. Lobbying can get a pretty tough rap, but the fact of the matter is that it is an essential cog in the wheel of government. Not to mention, author John Zappe notes, "salaries typically begin in the $80s and rise quickly into the six figures." So there's that.

Secrets of the Job Hunt Reveals: Secrets for writing the perfect resume. The piece answers the important but often overlooked questions of how to best submit a cover letter when applying via email.

Jason Seiden Posts: A video discussing resume tips. Some of his thoughts are a bit different from the standard resume approach. It is certainly worth hearing Jason out and exploring some of his tips.

Examiner.com's Heather Huhman interviews: Anne Brown, co-author of â€œGrad to Great: Discover the Secrets to Success in Your First Careerâ€ The book discusses the best way to transition from college to working in the real world. This specific interview looks at 10 mistakes new grads make at work and how these can be avoided. Example: Don't show up your boss. "Unless your boss is corrupt in some way (which is rare), you have a lot to learn from this person. Donâ€™t compete with your bossâ€”it is in your best interest to make him or her look good."

College Humor Details: Fine dining for under $10. The meal includes hor d'oeurve's, 2nd course, main course, and drinks. I can't tell if this was a joke or not, but it actually doesn't sound too bad and the accompanying picture looks downright appetizing.

"n95_355" Photo courtesy of KhE é¾™ via Flickr Creative Commons

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